Initial Report –
Psolar.BX Balaclava
December 2, 2003
Tester Biography
Name: Louis Luangkesorn
Height: 5' 6” (1.7 m)
Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)
Age:
33
Gender: Male
Email: lluang at yahoo dot com
I am a beginner to intermediate
backpacker. I have gone camping on occasion over the past 10 years. I
have started going on backcountry trips over the past 1 1/2 years. I
also go on day trips in Illinois and Indiana. I am also a
photographer and I try to have my hobbies go well together. While I
am lightweight for a serious photographer (Manual SLR, 2-3 prime
lenses, Ultrapod, and occasionally either a compact tripod or a light
(relatively) full sized tripod) the volume and weight of this
effectively removes me from the ultralight category. My total weight
(everything but the clothes I'm wearing) for a weekend fluctuates
between 25-40 lbs (11 - 18 kg) depending on season, how serious I
happen to be about photography, cooking on that trip and who I am
with. Since I've already given up on ultralight, I give myself the
luxury of a tent, sleeping pad, cooking stuff and an alcohol stove.
Product Description
Manufacturer: Psolar Inc.
Website: http://www.psolar.com/
Product: Psolar.BX Balaclava
MSRP: $40.00
Year of Manufacturer: 2003
Website:
Weight: 2.25 oz. (64 g)
Height: 11.75 in. (30 cm)
Width: (neck) 9.25 in. (23.5 cm)
Face opening diameter: 5.5” (14
cm)
Color: Black w/ white and yellow
lettering. White heat exchanger.
The Psolar.BX Balaclava arrived in a
plastic bag with a letter sized information sheet. The main part of
the balaclava is a stretchable fleece material, and it fits over the
head. There is an opening in the front for the face, and under the
opening, there is a section of a more spandex type material that does
not stretch quite as much. The inside of the spandex material is
lined with fleece. The spandex has a net compartment in the middle
where the mouth would go which holds the advertised heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger is removable. It is made up of a back plastic
housing that is open front and back. The housing is curved so that
the inside of the curve is along the face. Inside the housing are
numerous thin, white plastic sheets separated by thin, clear plastic
sheets running from top to bottom, from the front of the housing to
the back. The clear sheets have little dimples which causes spaces to
appear in between the sheets so that air can run from front to back
for breathing.
Initial Impressions
When wearing the balaclava it feels
snug but soft. The balaclava covers the head and neck. The balaclava
can be worn in three ways. First, the balaclava can be worn so that
it covers the mouth and nose, leaving an oval opening around the
eyes. When worn this way, the heat exchanger is over the mouth. The
second way is so the balaclava covers just the chin, so that the
entire face is exposed. When worn in this fashion, the heat exchanger
sits under the chin. The third way is to roll the bottom portion so
that it is like a hat. What I do is roll it partially, then slide it
so that the heat exchanger is on my forehead with the curve of the
housing following my forehead. It feels a little tight around my
forehead when I do this. I am not sure if this is something I would
do for extended periods of time. I also tried it so that the opening
stretches over the whole head, but when I do so the heat exchanger
sits on the neck and it does not feel comfortable around the chin.
Test Plan
I intend on using the balaclava under
three scenarios. First is hiking, either day hiking or backpacking.
Second, I will use it when running or bicycling. Finally, I may use
it in daily activities when the weather is cold. This will
demonstrate performance with other clothes such as a helmet and
sunglasses and will also demonstrate performance when exposed to
sweat and wind as well as snow and rain. I will consider things such
as initial comfort and how it changes in periods of both rest and
periods of activity, how it fares as I generate heat. During
prolonged activity, I will consider things such as long term comfort
and how well it handles weather conditions such as snow or rain.
I will consider how the balaclava
performs during periods of rest (including sleep) and periods of
activity when I am generating heat. I will consider its resistance to
moisture in the form of snow and rain as well as the effects of
sweat. When running or bicycling I will consider the effects of wind,
in particular when combined with moisture of any kind. Finally, I
will evaluate how well it works with other gear such as a helmet or
sunglasses, does it feel uncomfortable or does it induce fogging.
Read more reviews of Psolar gear
Read more gear reviews by Louis Luangkesorn
| 